Dietary Supplements Vs Real Food

In these hard economic times, it is of great concern to public health officials that more and more individuals appear to be resorting to vitamin pills and protein shakes in order to save money, as real whole food is expensive. However, pills and powders are not a good source of nutrition, even though they are being used as meal replacements instead of the simple dietary supplements they are at best.

The dangerous nature of this gambit, where financially desperate people decide to cut back on food in order to pay the rent, is magnified by the fact that one does not even really know what, exactly, is in the vitamin pill or protein powder. Under current law, so-called dietary supplements, also known as nutritional supplements, do not fall under the regulation of the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and therefore can contain almost anything, despite the marketing hype on the label. Indeed, even those products under FDA oversight, such as canned foods and baked goods, do not always contain the nutrients claimed.

The situation seems to be much remedied by the industry itself, however. Name brands seem trustworthy, and technology itself has advanced to the point where the promises of yesterday have become today’s common fact. For example, unlike the protein powders sold during the 1980s, those of 2010 are much more advanced and bioavailable, which means that they are more efficiently absorbed by the body than ever before.

Still, these are at best supplements, designed to support an otherwise healthy diet. Do not mistake them for food as such! These wonders of modern science have very specific uses; consult a healthcare provider for personalized details on how you can incorporate them into your active lifestyle. (Yes, you should be active as well, because good health consists of many factors, not just good food!)